Maternal and child health nursing
-includes care of the pregnant woman, child, and
family. (A) During a prenatal visit, a nurse
assesses that a pregnant woman’s uterus is
expanding normally. (B) During a health
maintenance visit, a nurse assesses a child’s
growth and development.
GOAL: Maternal and Child Health Nursing
 the promotion and maintenance of optimal
family health
 Maternal and child health nursing extends
from preconception to menopause with an
expansive array of health issues and
healthcare providers
Scope of Practice
 Preconception health care
 Care of women during three trimesters of
pregnancy and the puerperium (the 6 weeks
after childbirth, sometimes termed the fourth
trimester of pregnancy)
 Care of infants during the perinatal period
(the time span beginning at 20 weeks of
pregnancy to 4 weeks [28 days] after birth)
 Care of children from birth through late
adolescent
 Care in a variety of hospital and home care
settings
Philosophy of Maternal and Child Health
Nursing
Maternal and child health nursing is:
 Family centered; assessment should always
include the family as well as an individual.
 Community centered; the health of families
is both affected by and influences the health
of communities.
 Evidence based; this is the means whereby
critical knowledge increases.
 A challenging role for nurses and a major
factor in keeping families well and
optimally functioning.
A maternal and child health nurse:
 Considers the family as a whole and as a
partner in care when planning or
implementing or evaluating the
effectiveness of care.
 Serves as an advocate to protect the rights
of all family members, including the fetus.
 Demonstrates a high degree of independent
nursing functions because teaching and
counseling are major interventions.
 Promotes health and disease prevention
because these protect the health of the next
generation.
 Serves as an important resource for families
during childbearing and childrearing as
these can be extremely stressful times in a
life cycle.
 Respects personal, cultural, and spiritual
attitudes and beliefs as these so strongly
influence the meaning and impact of
childbearing and childrearing.
 Encourages developmental stimulation
during both health and illness so children
can reach their ultimate capacity in adult
life.
 Assesses families for strengths as well as
specific needs or challenges.
 Encourages family bonding through
rooming-in and family visiting in maternal
and child healthcare settings.
 Encourages early hospital discharge options
to reunite families as soon as possible in
order to create a seamless, helpful transition
process.
 Encourages families to reach out to their
community so the family can develop a
wealth of support people they can call on in
a time of family crisis.
GLOBAL HEALTH GOALS
 To end poverty and hunger.
 To achieve universal primary education
 To promote gender equality and empower
women
 To reduce child mortality
 To improve maternal health
 To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other
diseases
 To ensure environmental sustainability
 To develop a global partnership for
development